Let s roam the world!

Transcription

1 Let s roam the world! ITU International Mobile Roaming Consultation Meeting Geneva, September 15th 2016 Jan van Alphen

2 INTUG & BTG INTUG (International Telecommunications Users Group) was established in 1974 with permanent observer status at ITU; Global reach representing over 1000 large, medium and small companies worldwide; BTG, INTUG member, Dutch association, has 100s of national and international businesses in a wide variety of industries;

3 Business consumer View of Roaming Many businesses operate internationally roaming charges have a negative impact on collaboration, innovation and risktaking; Cost transparency for roaming charges is lacking, resulting in cartel like pricing, whichcanonlybe controlledby regulation; MNOs are too focused on current revenue models, dominance in access and price competition only, blocking innovation A new business model is needed, focused on new business processes, disruptive ICT innovation and consumer behaviour

4 The Recommended way forward The future business and social environment will be built on borderless movement and trade and connected things; The current system isn t effective (anymore) and unsustainable; i.e. artificial surcharges for a person or device not being in its contracted country; Elimination of International Roaming Charges is no longer just an economic need, but also a social responsibility! More transparancy and affordability are the first steps.

5 The Recommended way forward A global and universal approach is necessary, ITU can take the lead in establishing and driving; This will enable development of new products and services resulting in economic growth, new jobs, better services and better social cohesion in a connected society. Strategic collaboration and a mutual ambition is probably a solution; acceptance of different interests and benefits to achieve is needed; shared goals, benefits and program.

6 Examples of a Connected world

7 Examples of Roaming Charge Damage "In some countries we have to use paper instead of mobile business apps" (Manufacturer) "our IoT applications are international, we check vaccine temperature while stored or transported (Pharmaceutical) "thanks to European roaming regulation, we told employees they are no longer obliged to switch "roaming off (Bank)

8 Examples of Roaming Charge Damage Switzerland is not Europe for roaming so we incur high roaming bills for employees there (ICT) Working in Dubai, with incredible roaming tariffs, it is hard to avoid bill shocks; accidents happen (Construction)

9 Other Considerations Global principles are needed for international wholesale traffic agreements, i.e. GCC agreement and a role for ITU and WTO; Ensure unjustified costs are not incurred by smaller and single country operators in comparison with larger multinational MNOs;

10 Other Considerations Whilst mobile tariffs vary significantly between countries, some guidance is needed to avoid artificial home country designation, but this cannot be based on days as this would be inappropriate for business consumers; A trusted global organisation is needed to analyse real costs and produce principles and guidelines for eliminating roaming charges the ITU, through its Tariff Principles Study Group would be well placed to do this, but urgency is needed

11 Conclusions International roaming charges inflict economic damage and are unsustainable long term in a mobile and connected borderless world; The ITU can play a crucial role in helping the move towards a different charging regime for the future business and social environment; Acknowledging the end objective would be an excellent start for the needed strategic collaboration.